Alberta introduces $135 fee for Worker Expression of Interest submissions
Alberta has implemented a new fee for foreign nationals submitting a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI) under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The change took effect on April 7, 2026.
The WEOI submission, previously free of charge, now requires a payment of $135. The new cost applies across all AAIP worker pathways.
The update reflects ongoing adjustments to how provincial immigration programs manage application intake and candidate pools.
- A $135 fee now applies to Worker Expression of Interest submissions as of April 7, 2026
- The fee covers all AAIP worker streams and pathways
- WEOIs function as candidate profiles used for provincial selection draws
- The existing $1,500 application fee remains unchanged
- Over 44,000 profiles are currently in the AAIP selection pool
Overview of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is a provincial nominee program that allows Alberta to select candidates for permanent residence based on labour market needs. It operates several immigration pathways targeting workers and entrepreneurs.
The newly introduced WEOI fee applies specifically to individuals seeking nomination through worker-focused streams. These include the Alberta Opportunity Stream, Alberta Express Entry Stream, and sector-specific pathways such as health care and tourism.
Other pathways affected include the Rural Renewal Stream and priority draws aligned with economic sectors identified by the province.
How the WEOI system functions
Since September 30, 2024, Alberta has used an expression of interest system to manage applications for worker streams. Individuals first submit a WEOI profile through an online portal.
The profile includes self-declared details such as employment history, education, and language proficiency. Each submission is assigned a score based on program criteria.
Profiles are then placed into a selection pool, where the province conducts invitation rounds. Draws are based on labour demand, sector priorities, and the number of available nomination spaces.
Next steps after selection
Candidates selected through AAIP draws receive invitations to apply for provincial nomination. At that stage, a full application must be submitted along with a $1,500 processing fee.
Approved applicants receive a provincial nomination certificate, which can be used to apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The new $135 WEOI fee is separate from the application processing fee and applies at the initial submission stage.
Recent updates to WEOI requirements
Additional changes to the WEOI system were introduced earlier in 2026. On February 25, the AAIP added new data fields requiring details on wages and working hours for candidates with job offers in Alberta.
WEOIs submitted from that date onward must include this employment information. Profiles lacking these details are not considered in certain draws where such data is used as a selection factor.
The province has indicated that these attributes may influence future invitation rounds, particularly in sectors with defined wage thresholds or employment standards.
Application volumes and nomination allocation
For 2026, Alberta has been allocated 6,403 provincial nominations by the federal government. This allocation defines the number of candidates the province can nominate for permanent residence during the year.
As of April 1, 2026, Alberta had issued 1,475 nominations, leaving 4,928 spots remaining. At the same time, 1,418 applications were being processed.
The pool of registered WEOI candidates exceeds 44,000 across all worker streams, reflecting continued demand for provincial nomination.
Additional nomination pathways
Outside its base allocation, Alberta can nominate certain candidates through targeted federal initiatives. These include streams for Francophone applicants and practice-ready physicians.
These nominations are part of a broader federal framework that provides up to 10,000 additional spaces across provincial nominee programs nationwide. They do not count toward Alberta’s main annual allocation.
Other provinces, including Manitoba, operate similar selection systems through their own programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
Priority sectors for 2026 selection
Alberta has identified several sectors that are expected to receive priority in draws and nominations throughout 2026. These sectors reflect current labour shortages and economic development goals.
Key areas include health care, technology, construction, and manufacturing. Aviation and agriculture have also been highlighted as priority industries.
Communities participating in the Rural Renewal Stream are another focus, as the province aims to address workforce gaps in smaller and remote regions.
Fee structure remains largely unchanged
The introduction of the WEOI fee represents a targeted adjustment rather than a broad increase in program costs. Existing application fees for worker and entrepreneur streams remain in place.
Worker stream applications continue to cost $1,500, while entrepreneur stream applications carry higher fees. Additional service charges, such as reconsideration requests or nomination extensions, are unchanged.
The WEOI fee aligns Alberta with other jurisdictions that charge for expression of interest submissions as part of immigration system management.
Ongoing developments in provincial immigration systems
Provincial nominee programs across Canada continue to evolve in response to application volumes and labour market needs. Adjustments such as fees, data requirements, and selection criteria are periodically introduced.
Alberta’s recent changes reflect efforts to manage a large candidate pool and refine selection processes. The WEOI system remains central to how candidates are identified for nomination.
Further updates to selection practices and program criteria may be introduced as provinces adapt to federal immigration targets and regional labour demands.
Additional reporting on provincial nominee programs and immigration system updates remains ongoing as provinces release new information throughout 2026.